Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Kankakee, IL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Kankakee, IL

Median annual salary $44,970 -26.3% vs national
Median hourly $21.62
10th percentile $38,910
90th percentile $77,910
Employed locally 30
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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Kankakee, IL
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,910
    25th
    $40,310
    50th (median)
    $44,970
    75th
    $59,780
    90th
    $77,910

    Kankakee economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,325 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 66% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 34% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chefs and Head Cooks

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $87,410
    Morgantown, WV $87,280
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $85,370
    Terre Haute, IN $83,880
    East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area $81,720
    Hawaii $81,200

    Nearby metros — Chefs and Head Cooks salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $87,410
    Huntsville, AL $70,960
    Mobile, AL $66,440
    Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC $65,780
    Wildwood-The Villages, FL $65,290
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $64,590

    Related occupations in Kankakee, IL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $30,830
    Waiters and Waitresses $29,120
    Cooks, Restaurant $33,430
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,260
    Bartenders $29,120
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $35,830

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Kankakee?

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Kankakee, IL is $21.62, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.17 or more per hour.

    Is Kankakee above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Kankakee, IL is 26.3% below the national median of $60,990. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Kankakee?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $38,910 per year in Kankakee, IL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $40,310.